Bedford College student has designs on the Castle Quay Weekender

The Castle Quay Weekender returns to Bedford this June with a brand new identity, designed by Bedford College student, Emma Lemon.

Emma, who is in the second year of the Graphic Design HND course, pitched her idea to the event organisers as part of the College’s work experience programme ‘Bridge’. Under ‘Bridge’, students are given ‘live’ design briefs for real clients. A number of students proposed ideas for the Castle Quay Weekender, but the organisers felt that Emma had captured the spirit of the festival with her neon hand lettering.

Said Emma: “I had the opportunity to take on the brief, and be in charge of the design process from start to finish – solo – as if I were working as a freelancer. I received guidance from my tutor, Jeffrey Tribe throughout, and even had the chance to meet with the Castle Quay Weekender team which made the whole experience much more realistic. I am happy to have been a part of this, and thankful for the chance to work on a live brief and gain such a valuable insight into the ‘real world’.”

Successful students’ work is paid for by the clients and the fees contribute to the College’s exhibition at the D&AD New Blood show in London.

“As soon as we saw Emma’s design we knew it the right branding for the Castle Quay Weekender,” said co-organiser Alan Cooley. “So impressed were we, that we commissioned her to develop our posters and programme designs too. We’re sure this won’t be the last time we work with Emma. She’s not only talented, but also commercially aware and a credit to Jeffrey and the Graphic Design team at Bedford College.”

Senior Graphics Lecturer Jeffrey said: “It is pleasing to see Emma’s work so valued and applied within the local community. The Bridge project really tests our student’s learning and skills and gives them the confidence to make the transition from education to the work place.”